Glenn Walsh, the watercress-eating world champion - who hates watercress - has vowed to renew his title charge to GB News.
Mr Walsh has claimed victory at the Alresford Watercress Festival eating contest for 17 years in a row - but he confesses he cannot stand the leafy green.
The Hampshire local recently told The Telegraph: "Each year I question whether I'll take part in the eating competition as I dread it and don't actually like watercress much."
He said the plant is "peppery, stalky and not really enjoyable", adding: "I used to quite like cress - but not so much anymore."
And speaking to Britain's News Channel last night, the 58-year-old shed light on his peculiar talent.
Mr Walsh said the competition - in Alresford, the "watercress centre of the world" - started out as a small event "for the rugby boys".
He added: "After a few beers, we'd go: 'We've got all this green stuff, what are we going to do with it?' And we thought: 'Well, let's eat as much as we can.'"
"That didn't end up very well at all," the fencing contractor continued. "After that, we decided to be a bit more sensible and have 80g and eat it as quick as you can. And that was a little bit better."
In an extraordinary twist, Mr Walsh then shot down reports he hated the plant - despite admitting he "didn't like it much".
Glenn Walsh has attributed his success to a 'big gob' and large hands - which he proudly showed off to The People's Channel
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"I never say I hate it... It's like a condiment. A sprig in a ham sandwich is gorgeous. It's a bit like a little bit of mustard.
"Could you eat the whole jar of mustard? You're in a world of hurt. A bit like if you eat a whole bag of cress. It's so peppery and stalky.
"It does put you off," he added. "But you only have to have it once a year anyway."
Pressed on whether he would launch a bid for an 18th world title, Mr Walsh said: "I've got to go for it. I really have to."
"You know, you've always got to give it a go."
The Alresford local holds the record for devouring 80 grams of watercress in a mere 25 seconds.
He has attributed his success to "a big gob" and large hands - which he proudly showed off to The People's Channel.
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'A sprig in a ham sandwich is gorgeous. It's a bit like a little bit of mustard,' Mr Walsh said
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His approach to the contest is purely mechanical.
"You blank out and go for it and shovel it in there. I just want to get it down and get rid of it," he said.
The competition has become a family affair, with Mr Walsh having faced off against his triplet daughters Ellen, Laura and Beth, as well as his son Connor.
But his closest competitor remains his friend Sam Batho, a 38-year-old builder who last took the title in 2010.
Mr Batho has admitted: "I would be lying if I said it doesn't make you gag."
He went on to challenge Mr Walsh to "quit while he's ahead" if his distaste for watercress runs so deep.
Last year's final proved exceptionally tight, with Mr Walsh pipping Mr Batho to the crown after finishing his bag in 58 seconds.
Cress hotspot Alresford serves as one end of the Watercress Line steam railway
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The previous year saw the 58-year-old triumph despite being forced to compete seated due to a leg injury.
Mr Batho has likened Mr Walsh to a "father figure" and described their dynamic as rivals on the court, friends off it.
"If there was anyone I wouldn't mind losing to, it's him. You don't hold a grudge, you just enjoy the moment. We shake each other's hand and buy each other a beer," Batho told The Telegraph.
The Watercress Festival drew approximately 20,000 visitors last year, with this year's event scheduled for May 17 to celebrate the start of the UK's watercress season.
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